Can opener



Ian. 22 1924. 1,481,478

J. s. MOORE ET AL CAN OPENER may. as Q 21% 5 sums/hawk INVENTOR ATTORNE Patented den. 22, 1924.

ATS

JESSE S. MOORE AND JEROME MEYER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

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Application filed June 17, 1922, Serial No. 563,923. Renewed June 6, 1923.

To all whom it may concern.

' Be it known that we, Jnssn S. Moore and JEROME MEYER, citizens of the United States of America, and residents of New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a type of can opener in which a circular or semi-circular opening is cut into the top of a can by a single operative movement of the device, and the object of the invention is to provide a simple form of can opener which may be used to open either a can of the usual small size or a can of relatively larger size.

The invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a form of our can opener with the blade for cutting a large opening in operative position, and the blade for cutting a smaller opening in inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the device, with only the blade for cutting the smaller opening in active position;

Fig. 4C is a perspective view of the can opener of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a moot ified form of the invention.

By reference to the drawings, it will be seen that the device consists of an arm or hand lever, A, shown in Fig. 1 and having at its outer end, a prong or knife z to enetrate the top and side wall of a can. verhanging prong is a fulcrum bladeto adapt the device for use as an ordinary can opener.

The hand lever is shown as having a widened end B and side extensions, C and C, and the outer ends of such extensions are formed, as at y, to act as bearings for the blades next mentioned.

In the drawings, we have shown two curvilinear blades, an inner and smaller blade, D, and an outer and larger blade E. These two blades are each substantially semi-circular, and they are hinged, independently of each other, to the outer ends of the extensions C and C, to freely swing about the axles, y. As a result, either of the blades, may, independently of the other, be

swung to either an inoperative position or. to an operative position. Figs. 1 and 2 show the outer blade E (useful for cutting a large opening ina can) swung underneath the hand lever and in operative position, while the inner blade D is swung to inoperative position; Figs. 3 and l show the outer blade swung to inoperative position, while the inner blade (useful for cutting a smaller opening) is swung underneath the lever and in operative position. It is, therefore, plain that our can opener has a plurality of in dependently-useable blades carried by a single lever, the drawings particularly illustrating each of these blades as being connected to the lever as to be independently movable either into or out of cutting posit1on. means of cotter-pins at the ends of the extensions C and C.

In operation, the desired blade is swung to cutting position, while the other blade is swung to inactive position, and the prong a, is thrust into the top of the can or into the side thereof, to steady the lever, which is then brought down against the top of the can and cuts through the same.

To brace each blade, when in cutting position. we provide the under side of the lever with seats, or notches, a, a these being so positioned that the back, or dull, edge of the smaller blade D, will contact with or fit into the seat a (see Fig. 4:), while the back of the larger blade E is positioned to contact with or fit into the seat a (see Fig. 2).

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the lever A, is provided with a strip, a of spring metal or other material, secured to the under side of the arm by screws, (1*, and this strip is also shown as having a tooth, a projecting slightly beyond or into the seat or notch. Such tooth is adapted to engage with an opening (a) the corresponding blade, substantially midway thereof, when the blade is seated within the notch; this further assists in bracing the blade when in use.

The blades are each shown as having a rear median point of least depth, and of graduated depth towards each side thereof. It has been found, in practice, that this construction is very advantageous, as conducive to speedy cutting of the metal of the The blades are heldto the lever by in the metal of.

cover, since the cutting action is increased at the points nearest the fulcrum of the lever.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in the embodiment of our invention shown. in the drawingswitliout departing from the spiritoi ou'r'invention.

lVhat We claim is: 1. In a can opener, a hand lever having a seat and a curvilinear blade hinged to the lever and formed to contact with the seat tvhen in cutting position.

2. In a can opener, a hand lever and a plurality 01 curvilinear blades of varying sizes each separately hinged'to the lever.

3. In a can opener, a lever and a pair of curvilinear blades of difierent sizes, each separately hinged to the lever.

4. In a can opener, a lever and a plurality of curvilinear blades each so connected therewith as to be independently movable either into or out'of cutting'position.

In testimony whereof, We have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing itnesses:

JESSE S. MOORE.

JEROME MEYER.

Witnesses:

W. LEE HELMs, F. H. LOGAN. 

